The King and Queen visit Jämtland County

On Wednesday 11 September, The King and Queen visited Jämtland County. The visit marked the conclusion of The King and Queen's visit to all of Sweden's 21 counties carried out during the year in connection with The King's 40th jubilee.

16:18 The King and Queen arrived at Sommarhagen, home of composer Wilhelm Peterson-Berger. Chairman of the Wilhelm Peterson-Berger Foundation Iwan Sturk gave The King and Queen a tour of Sommarhagen, which was completed in 1914. Peterson-Berger inherited the money used to build the house from his mother, and the house was built in her memory.

15:59 The coach continued towards Frösön and Sommarhagen. Jämtland's Head Antiquarian and Chief Archaeologist Anders Hansson explained that Frösön has long been the centre of Jämtland. Frösön's history stretches back almost 2,000 years. Rector Peter Forsberg then spoke about Frösö Church, which was built in the late 12th century on the site of a former pagan place of sacrifice. It was only with the arrival of the railway that Östersund grew larger than Frösön. 15:17 The King and Queen visited the ski lab at Mid Sweden University's Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre. There they met Marika Backman, a biathlon competitor in her first year at upper secondary school. Find out more about the Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre at Mid Sweden University here.

The King and Queen watch Marika Backman undergoing tests in the ski lab. Photo: royalcourt.se

Patrik Jemteborn from the Swedish Biathlon Federation presents the campaign to hold the 2019 Biathlon World Championships in Östersund. Niklas Carlsson, Director of the Swedish Ski Association, spoke about the campaign to hold the 2019 Alpine World Ski Championships in Åre. 14:46 The King and Queen visited Campus Östersund. Vice-Chancellor Anders Söderholm explained that the university focuses on taking advantage of the region's resources. Senior lecturers Lars-Erik Rännar and Mikael Bäckström explained about the research field of amorphous metal, an extremely strong and highly elastic material. It is used for applications such as biomedical implants. Mid Sweden University also carries out teaching and research within sports technology. Sport and leisure equipment is an industry worth billions of kronor every year, and there is a real need for better designs and new materials. The Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre at Mid Sweden University is one of the country's leading environments for sports-based research. The centre is a world leader within ski research, and has modern laboratories with various advanced instruments as well as testing and measuring equipment that is used regularly by many elite Swedish athletes within various winter sports, such as cross-country skiing and biathlon, to reach the top of their game. There are currently 65 elite sporting competitors studying at the university. Find out more about Mid Sweden University here.

Cross-country skier Anders Södergren speaks with The King and Queen in the lab. Next to Anders are Chair of the Swedish Sports Confederation Karin Mattsson Weijber, Vice-Chancellor Anders Söderholm and County Governor Britt Bohlin. Photo: royalcourt.se

14:42 On the coach to Mid Sweden University, The King and Queen passed the university's premises, which are housed in the old regiment buildings. Campus Östersund is one of Mid Sweden University's three campuses. 13:30 The King and Queen arrived at Östersund Town Hall, where lunch was served. The town hall celebrated its centenary last year.

The King and Queen arrive at Östersund Town Hall. Photo: royalcourt.se

13:10 The ceremony at Badhusparken concluded with everyone singing the Jämtland Song, with words by Wilhelm Peterson-Berger. 12:56 The King gave a speech, in which he said: "Forty years ago, I visited Jämtland as part of my tour of Sweden. Every time I come here, it feels a bit like coming home. And there are a number of good reasons for this. One reason is that I was born Duke of Jämtland, and I will therefore always have a special connection to this province. "Another reason is that we have a family holiday cottage in Storlien. We have enjoyed many wonderful winter holidays together there! "We have also been given a taste of Jämtland's culinary culture today. Your focus on small-scale production has been successful. And we have enjoyed local ingredients from the mountains, the lakes and the local fields. Yes, our day here in Jämtland has been extremely inspiring!"

12:44 The King and Queen arrived at Badhusparken in Östersund. The King's Song was sung, and County Governor Britt Bohlin gave a speech. 12:20 The King and Queen arrived in Östersund.

The view from the helicopter, en route from Tännäs to Hosjöbottnarna. Photo: royalcourt.se

11:35 Nicklas Johansson, Chairman of Mittådalen Sami Community Magnus Rehnfeldt, Chairman of Handölsdalen Sami Community Rickard Åström and tourism entrepreneur Daniel Persson spoke about conditions for reindeer husbandry and coexistence with others. Daniel Persson explained that he and his wife run the "Eight Seasons" Sami tourist centre alongside reindeer husbandry. They are fully booked all summer, with eight to 12 people at a time. Most visitors are fishing or hunting tourists, or conference attendees. During the visit, County Governor Britt Bohlin explained that the long-awaited permanent electricity connection is now being established.

The King and Queen during their visit to the tourist centre at Hosjöbottnarna Sami Camp. Photo: royalcourt.se

11:25 The King and Queen arrived at Hosjöbottnarna Sami Camp in Oviksfjällen, where they were welcomed by Chairman of Tåssåsen Sami Community Nicklas Johansson. Hosjöbottnarna Sami Camp belongs to Tåssåsen Sami Community in Oviksfjällen, and has been established since the 1920s. There is now a small tourist centre here, called "Eight Seasons".

The King feeds Härje, the largest bull at the musk ox centre. Photo: royalcourt.se

10:20 Head of Jämtland Härjedalen Tourism Mats Forslund spoke about the tourism industry, which accounts for 8.2 million guest nights in the county. Most of these are winter visitors, but the number of summer visitors is showing a significant increase. Cycling and hiking attract a large number of tourists. 09:57 The King and Queen arrived at Tännäs Musk Ox Centre in western Härjedalen, where they are welcomed by Stefan Mörberg, a tourism entrepreneur and chairman of the working group for the protection of the musk ox. At the musk ox sanctuary, musk oxen — the last remaining species of the large prehistoric animals — lives in its natural environment, with plenty of space and its natural food. The aim is to preserve the strain of wild musk ox and to add new genes to the strain. The oxen can be studied at close quarters from an elevated ramp in the observation area.

The King and Queen at the musk ox sanctuary at Tännäs Musk Ox Centre. Photo: royalcourt.se

Today, there are seven wild musk oxen in vicinity of the centre. In March this year, a heifer was released from the centre and the release has gone well. The wild oxen are descended from the oxen imported by Norway from Greenland in the 1950s.

08:17 County Governor of Dalarna County Maria Norrfalk handed over hosting duties to County Governor of Jämtland County Britt Bohlin.

The King and Queen are welcomed to Jämtland County by County Governor Britt Bohlin. Photo: royalcourt.se

The programme for The King and Queen's visit on Wednesday 11 September.

08:15 The King and Queen are welcomed to Jämtland County by County Governor Britt Bohlin. 10:00 The King and Queen visit Tännäs Musk Ox Centre. 11:15 The King and Queen visit Hosjöbottnarna Sami Camp. 12:30 The King and Queen arrive at Badhusparken in Östersund. The King gives a speech. 13:30 Lunch at Östersund Town Hall. 14:45 The King and Queen visit Mid Sweden University. 16:15 The King and Queen arrive at Frösön and Sommarhagen. The day in Jämtland County concludes with dinner hosted by the County Governor at the County Governor's official residence.

County visits 2013

In connection with The King's 40th jubilee, The King and Queen will be visiting all of Sweden's 21 counties during the year. Find out more about the county visits here.